News Flash

MCAO Latest News

Posted on: February 25, 2011

Local and Federal Authorities Shut Down Major Organized Retail Crime Syndicate

PHOENIX, AZ (February 25, 2011) - The Scottsdale Police Department, working with fraud investigators from eBay, Home Depot and Walmart, along with several other members of the Arizona Electronic Crimes Task Force, including the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, United States Secret Service, the Phoenix Police Department as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service, are announcing the arrest and indictment of more than 30 individuals allegedly involved in a major organized retail theft syndicate. The investigation, which began in April 2010, uncovered elaborate gift cards scams, identity theft and retail theft from the “Angel Tree” holiday toy program for kids. The case has uncovered over $1.2 Million in proceeds from these crimes.

Case history:
In April 2010, Scottsdale Police Computer Fraud detectives were contacted by eBay security regarding suspicious activity on a user account linked to Scottsdale, Arizona. The account, later linked to Wayne Clifford Bahlman, involved numerous auctions of retail store credit cards through eBay.

At about the same time, investigators reported to detectives suspicious returns and shoplifting centering around one subject known to Home Depot Investigators as Wayne Clifford Bahlman.

After months of investigation, a large scale conspiracy was uncovered that appeared to be linked to Bahlman. Bahlman had a network of associates that would recruit persons to shoplift items from retail stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Walmart. Using stolen identities, suspects would return the items at a different location for store credit cards. The cards were then turned over to Bahlman to sell on eBay. Each person involved would be paid for their part of scheme.

During the investigation, detectives observed Mary Booker, Douglas Booker and Michael Brandenberg at a local Walmart store. The suspects under surveillance were seen picking up toys from behind the customer service counter. The toys appeared to be gifts that were purchased by unknowing Walmart patrons who obtained an Angel Tree card from inside Walmart, then bought a gift that was described on the card. The suspects piled the toys and clothes into a shopping cart wheeled the cart to their car.

These suspects were seen transporting the toys to another Walmart location and returning the toys and children’s clothing for store credit or cash. Angel Tree Foundation is a charitable foundation that allows individuals to take an “ornament” off of one of the Christmas trees at a Walmart and buy a gift that was written on the “ornament” for a child. Mary Booker had access to the Angel Tree Foundation since her sister is one of the organizers of the foundation, however, Mary Booker and the two other individuals did not have permission to take these items from Angel Tree.

Further investigation into this activity revealed that the suspects actually worked for the Angel Tree Foundation and were assigned to pick up the gifts from the stores. However, instead of dropping the toys off at the foundation, they would return the toys for profit. The gift cards and proceeds were then funneled back to Wayne Bahlman.

Earlier this month, a Grand Jury indicted Bahlman and 35 others, alleging more than 50 felony counts including participation in a criminal syndicate, organized retail theft, fraudulent schemes and artifices, trafficking in stolen property and forgery.

This investigation was conducted as a joint initiative of the newly created Arizona Electronic Crimes Task Force (AZ-ECTF). This task force is one of 31 such task forces around the nation formed by the U.S. Secret Service to combat electronic crimes that cause significant economic or community impact. The AZ-ECTF is comprised of nine state and local law enforcement member agencies as well as dozens of other partner agencies and organizations who have come together to more effectively stop electronic crime.

###

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in MCAO Latest News

Photo of a baby tiger.

Defendant Selling Wild Tiger Cub Indicted

Posted on: February 28, 2023
MCAO Seal

Thank You for Your Service

Posted on: February 1, 2023
MCAO Seal

No Charges for Officer Conduct

Posted on: January 30, 2023
Photos of MCAO employees

A Year in Review

Posted on: December 20, 2022
MCAO Seal

MCAO Wins Big at the 2022 APAAC Awards

Posted on: August 29, 2022
Website Graphics (1)

Help Deter Catalytic Converter Thefts

Posted on: August 22, 2022
A person reaching for a pair of car keys after they've been drinking.

Celebrate Safely this Fourth of July

Posted on: June 28, 2022
Tori posing in front of a background and flags

K-9 Victim Advocate Tori is Retiring!

Posted on: April 26, 2022

MCAO’s Citizens Academy Is Back!

Posted on: March 28, 2022
MCAO Seal

Meet our New Community Affairs Coordinator

Posted on: February 21, 2022
Teens

Stay Aware of Teen Dating Violence

Posted on: February 14, 2022
New employee meeting other employees at new job

Start the Year with a New Career

Posted on: January 19, 2022
MCAO Seal

MCAO Year in Review

Posted on: December 21, 2021
An image of caution tape and police sirens

Year in Review: 2021 Crime Trends

Posted on: December 14, 2021
A family gathering around their holiday decorations

Holiday Home and Travel Safety

Posted on: December 6, 2021
Woman shopping online for holiday gifts

Get Gifts, Not Scams this Holiday Season

Posted on: November 22, 2021
Phone Scams

How to Avoid Scams Calls

Posted on: November 15, 2021
Photo of soldier holding an American flag

Honoring All Who Serve on Veterans Day

Posted on: November 10, 2021
Photo of the twin towers

20th Anniversary of September 11th

Posted on: September 10, 2021
Image of girl with the text

Talk to Teens About Substance Abuse

Posted on: August 23, 2021
A man stealing a wallet out of someone's backpack

Practice Personal Safety in Layers

Posted on: August 16, 2021
Two students reading over documents

Internship Opportunities at MCAO

Posted on: July 29, 2021
Someone looking into a parked vehicle

Keep Your Vehicle Safe this Summer

Posted on: July 5, 2021
Utility Scams

Summer Safety Series: Utility Scams

Posted on: June 21, 2021
Three Children Holding Hands

National Missing Children's Day

Posted on: May 24, 2021
Student wearing graduation cap and gown

A Career in Public Service

Posted on: May 4, 2021
Aisha Robertson, Legal Support Assistant, MCAO Victim Services Division

Employee Spotlight: Aisha Robertson

Posted on: April 26, 2021
Victim Advocates

The Importance of Victims’ Rights

Posted on: April 22, 2021
Lady Justice

Understanding Victims’ Rights

Posted on: April 19, 2021
Protect Your Vehicle From Theft

Spring Break Tips: Prevent Car Theft

Posted on: March 15, 2021
Report Graffiti

Report Graffiti in Your Community

Posted on: February 22, 2021
Protect Your Identity

Have You Checked Your Credit Report?

Posted on: March 29, 2021
Online Dating

Swipe Safe with These Online Dating Tips

Posted on: February 8, 2021
Woman Cleaning Counter

Labor Trafficking amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on: January 25, 2021
MCAO Building

A Year in Review at MCAO

Posted on: December 23, 2020
Crime Scene Tape

2020 Snapshot: Crime Across the Valley

Posted on: December 7, 2020
Man placing Credit Card info into Laptop

Shop Safely Online this Holiday Season

Posted on: November 30, 2020
Female domestic violence victim packing suitcase with clothing

Make a Safety Plan to Get Out

Posted on: October 19, 2020
Teen Girl Texting

Remind Teens to Think Before They Send

Posted on: September 28, 2020
County Attorney Allister Adel

Body-Worn Camera Request

Posted on: September 23, 2020
Online Bully

Online Bullying During COVID

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Animal Cruelty

Report Animal Abuse to Law Enforcement

Posted on: September 14, 2020
Labor Day DUI Reminder

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend Safely

Posted on: September 3, 2020
Pills on table

International Overdose Awareness Day

Posted on: August 31, 2020
Contact-Tracing

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Scams

Posted on: July 23, 2020
Two Girls on Laptops

What are the risks of livestreaming?

Posted on: July 13, 2020
Prosecutor

What is a Prosecutor?

Posted on: June 25, 2020
Man Vaping

Vaping Warning Signs for Parents

Posted on: June 18, 2020
Opioids

Help Prevent Opioid Abuse at Home

Posted on: June 16, 2020
Sunset Over Canal and Homes

Keep Your Home Safe this Summer

Posted on: June 4, 2020
Looking through a car windshield at night. The lights are blurred.

Don’t Graduate into a DUI

Posted on: May 19, 2020
Happy Mothers Day

Honoring MCAO Moms

Posted on: May 8, 2020
COVID-19 Stimulus Check Scams

Stimulus Check Scams

Posted on: May 7, 2020
National Law Day 2020

It’s National Law Day

Posted on: May 1, 2020
Angela Andrews

Collaboration is Key

Posted on: April 30, 2020
Inspiration in the Face of Adversity

Inspiration in the Face of Adversity

Posted on: April 24, 2020
Heather Kirka

Charging Ahead and Working Together

Posted on: April 23, 2020
Census form on flag

We All Benefit When We Respond

Posted on: April 16, 2020
Brittany Hogard

Keeping the Wheels of Justice Rolling

Posted on: April 15, 2020
Person typing on computer keyboard

Be a Smart Online User

Posted on: April 13, 2020
Avoid Coronavirus Scams

COVID-19 Scam Awareness

Posted on: March 30, 2020

Community Outreach Highlights

Posted on: March 1, 2020
Allister with Female Staff

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Posted on: March 1, 2020
2020 Census Advertisement - Shape your Future, Start Here

YOU Count: Fill Out the Census Today

Posted on: March 1, 2020

Update On Petersen Investigation

Posted on: December 11, 2019

MCAO Honors Our Veterans

Posted on: November 8, 2019

Dion Earl Found Guilty on All Charges

Posted on: August 22, 2019

MCAO Launches Community Grants Webpage

Posted on: August 12, 2016

Update on Green Acre Dog Boarding Deaths

Posted on: September 22, 2014

National Geographic - Taboo

Posted on: August 31, 2012